Protective switch member



May 13, 1930. H, M. JANVILLE PROTECTIVE SWITCH MEMBER 7 Filed Oct 14,1929 Elli I N VENTOR HM/anuille ATTORNEY I avBY Patented May 13, 1930OFFICE UNITED SATS HENRY M. JANVILLE, or MAYBaooK, NEW Yon]:

PROTECTIVE SWITCH MEMBER Application filed October 14, 1929. Serial No.399,438.

The above and other objects will become apparent in the descriptionbelow in which characters of reference refer to like-named parts in thedrawing.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of theswitch apron as applied to its proper position between parallel rails ata switch location.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, sectional, side elevational view of Figure1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 10 indicates one of therails of a track system. This rail is curved at the switching positionand branches to another parallel track system adjacent. The numeral 11inclicates a substantially straight linear rail which forms thecompanion member of rail 10. These rail members, 10 and 11, are mountedon a plurality of side by side arranged ties 12 which are conventionallyset upon a bed of ballast stone. The rail 10, which branches to anadjacent pair of rails, is rigidly mounted upon the ties and the rail 11is also mounted on these ties in the same condition, that is, rigidly.In switching or shifting railway carriers from one pair of tracks, suchas indicated'by the numerals 10 and 11, to an adjacent pair of tracks,movable switching rails are used. rails is indicated by the numeral 13.Said switch rail is connected to a rigid branch rail 14 by straps15 inthe conventional manner and is capable of lateral movement. The

tip 16 of the movable switch rail 13 tapers gradually to a point and isadapted, when the switch is set, for shifting, to lie adjacent the sideface of the railll. This position is not shown in Figure 1.

The opposing switch rail is indicated by the numeral 17 and is shown ina position lying adjacent the curved stationary rail 10. These One ofthese movable switch switch rails 13 and 17 which shift carriers 7from'one set of rails toan adjacent set are actuated by a switch levernot shown on the drawing. The switch mechanism comprises a strap 18which is connected by brackets 19 to a connecting rod 20. Thisconnecting rod joins the switch rails 13 and 17 at the free ends thereofand, being very delicate, is

readily injured or deformed causing open switches.

The invention consists in providing an apron whichrises to the level ofthe carrying surface of the rails 10', 11, 13 and 17. The aproncomprises a horizontal plate 21 which covers the switch rail operatingmechanism and is supported upon high beams 22 and23. This plate isrecessed at 24 and 25 on opposing sides thereof in order-to permit thepas- .sage of the tips of the switch rails 13 and 17 into these recessesalternately according to the direction in which the carriers are topass. The protective plate 21 is provided with inclined aprons 26 onopposite sides thereof-which have extensions 27 thereon secured in placeupon a convenient tie by bolts 28; Ledges 29 are provided at theextremitiesof the aprons which form shoulders .for locating the;protective member supporting ties 30.

t has been established by railway engineers that wrecks and derailmentsoccur through reason-of faulty switch units. The

switch rail operating mechanism is generally rendered faulty by passageof the proceeding carrier or train. It frequently occurs, 'especially onfreight trains, that partsof the suspended mechanism, such as brakebeams or the'like, will dragat one end and, in pass ing over the switchcrossing, comein contact with the .swit h ope'rating mechanism with theconsequence that the switch operating mechanism is either badly deformedor fractured. Theltra'in .crew or switch operator who reverses theswitch for shifting when using the switch upon an ensuing occasion'willnotnotice this deformed switch and will shift the rails 13 and 17,one of which, with the connecting rod 20 deformed, will not come incontact with its cooperating stationary rail, either 11 or 10. When thisoccurs, one

switch rail will not perform its function with a consequent derailmentof the carrier passing through the switch. To prevent this dangerous andproperty destroying derailment, I provide a raised member 21 from whichinclined aprons 26 extend and are mounted upon the ties on both sides ofthe switch rails. These members completely guard, conceal, cover andprotect the switch operating mechanism and, should any dragging'deviceson the carrier exist which is be ing drawn over the switch, theywill belifted by the protectivejmember over the mechanism concealed thereunderand will, therefore, be

prevented from injuring this mechanism.

It is to be noted that certain changes in form and construction may bemade wlthout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

' I claim: i i

1. A device of the class described comprising in combination a straightlinear rail, an adjacent angular movable switch rail, a companion curvedstationary rail, and a companion switching rail mechanism forswitching'said switching rail, ties supporting said rails, inclinedaprons mounted on said ties and a horizontal plate unitary with saidapron joining the same and raised above the switch rail operatingmechanism for protecting the same, recesses in said plate for receivingthe switch rail end therein when said switch rail is in opened position.

2. A device of the class described comprising in combination a straightlinear rail, an

, adjacent angularmovable switch rail, a companion curved stationaryrail, and a companion switchingrail mechanism for switching saidswitching rail, ties supporting said rails, inclined aprons mounted onsaid ties and a horizontal plate unitary with said apron joining thesame and raised above the switch rail operating mechanism for protectingthe same, a recess on each side of said plate, either of said recessesbeing adapted to alternately receive one or the other of said switchrails when said switch rail mechanism is operated.

3. A device of the class described compris- .ing in combination astraight linear rail, an

adj acently positioned angular movable switch rail, a companion curvedstationary rail and a companion switching rail, ties supporting saidrails, inclined aprons mounted on said ties and a horizontal plateunitary with said apron j oining said aprons at their upper ends,

said plate being raised above the switch rail operating mechanism forprotectmg the same, a recess on each slde of sald plate extending in thesame general direction as the rails, said recesses being adapted toalternately receive one or the other of said switch rails when saidswitch rail mechanism is operated.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HENRY M J ANVILLE.

